Irish eyes are on Rory McIlroy, the Masters champion and latest to win the career Grand Slam. He has been trying to embrace the expectation and occasion, unlike in 2019 when McIlroy was so emotional at the reception that he hit his first shot out of bounds and shot 79 to miss the cut.
This is the final major of the year, and the most unusual of the four majors because of links golf, where funny bounces and pot bunkers and fickle weather can determine the winner.
Here's what you need to know about the British Open:
What's the leaderboard?
Scottie Scheffler, the world's No. 1 player and a three-time major champion, leads by one stroke on 10-under par after rounds of 68 and 74 over the par-71 layout. He is bidding to win the British Open for the first time.
Matt Fitzpatrick, a former U.S. Open champion, is alone in second place after shooting 67-66.
Two players are a further shot back — 2023 British Open champion Brian Harman (69 and 65) and Li Haotong of China (two 67s).
Rory McIlroy is tied for 12th on 3-under par, seven shots back.
When i
s the British Open?
The first round began on Thursday and play continues until Sunday, when the winner will collect a silver claret jug. Players have been in the same three-man groups for the opening two days. There will be two-man pairings over the weekend. Daylight is not an issue at the British Open because it doesn't get dark until about 10:30 p.m. Players in the last group don't even tee off until a little after 4 p.m.
What are the tee times for Saturday?
Scottie Scheffler and Matt Fitzpatrick are the final pairing and will go out at 3:35 p.m. local time (1035 EDT).
Brian Harman and Li Haotong are the next to-last pairing, teeing off at 3:25 p.m. (1025 EDT)
Rory McIlroy goes out at 2:30 p.m. (0930 EDT) with Jordan Smith.
The times have been brought forward slightly in an effort to reduce the potential for disruption while an annual loyalist parade takes place the same day in Portrush. The parade is scheduled to start at 8.30 p.m. local time.
How can I watch the British Open?
There is wall-to-wall coverage, along with a five-hour time difference between Northern Ireland and the East Coast of the U.S. It will start at 1:30 a.m. EDT on the Peacock streaming service, and then USA Network picks up coverage from 4 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
If you're living on the West Coast, the British Open will come on just before bedtime. For golf fans in Hawaii, it will start right after sunset on Waikiki.
The Open concludes at 3 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday, both on NBC.
Who are the betting favorites?
Scottie Scheffler has been the favorite at every major this year, and the British Open has been no exception. Heading into the third round, he is listed as the odds-on favorite at 8-13 with BetMGM Sportsbook.
Matt Fitzpatrick is 5-1 and Brian Harman is the third favorite at 14-1.
Tyrrell Hatton and Rory McIlroy are 20-1.
The British Open is the only major where Scheffler has not had a serious chance at winning on the back nine on Sunday. But he hasn't finished out of the top 10 since late March.
What’s the forecast?
It has been mixed over Thursday and Friday. That's the term often used in these parts to indicate a little bit of everything, and sometimes that can be in one day.
The forecast shows it could be more of the same on Saturday, with the round possibly finishing in sunshine.
What’s at stake?
The winner gets a silver claret jug, the oldest trophy in golf. As part of a new tradition, Xander Schauffele had to return the jug to the R&A on Monday in a short ceremony. Then he has four days to win it back.
The winner also gets introduced as the “champion golfer of the year,” another tradition. He also will get a five-year exemption to the other three majors, an exemption into the British Open until age 55 (past winners could play until 60) and a five-year exemption on the PGA Tour.
Who are the players to watch?
Scottie Scheffler is No. 1 in the world and usually in contention no matter how he is playing. If Scheffler were to win, he would go to the U.S. Open next year for a chance at the Grand Slam.
Rory McIlroy is the big draw. There is pressure to perform, but he also is relieved of the burden from having not won a major in 11 years. He took care of that by winning the Masters and bringing home that green jacket.
Xander Schauffele is trying to become the first repeat winner since Padraig Harrington in 2007 and 2008. But the Californian was slowed by a rib injury early in the year, still hasn't won yet and is eight shots back.
British hopes lies with the likes of Tyrrell Hatton and Matt Fitzpatrick, who are in the top five.
Why is it the British Open when it's being played on the island of Ireland?
Royal Portrush is in Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom. The official title is The Open Championship or simply The Open. The Associated Press, along with several U.S. newspapers, have referred it to as the British Open for more than 100 years to distinguish it from other national opens like the U.S. Open and Australian Open.
The R&A once referred to it as the “British Open” in official films in the 1950s.
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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP